Tieti Lumakangilu, fashion designer (aged 21) – successful grant applicant

I applied for the SWEF fund in a bid to secure additional funding, where I have traditionally been excluded from grants as an academic full-time student but a creative entrepreneur.  Coming from a disadvantaged and under represented socio-economic background I have fought to better myself and my life and I have found a passion and talent in the world of fashion and design.

My business, Reign Fashion, creates high-quality streetwear that embodies urban culture, music of black origin and Christianity. Reign has participated and thrown pop-up shop parties in Oxford Street, London, Paris for Paris Fashion Week and Bristol. My most recent pop-up for the brand was during Paris Fashion Week, selling over 60 units in a foreign country.  The brands design has been featured in Netflix Series ‘Topboy’ and multiple music videos for UK musicians.

The SWEF grant enabled me to dedicate some more time to my business. I made and solidified plans for a Paris fashion week pop-up and I have also released an additional collection on the brands flagship webstore.

I’m currently strategizing to broaden our outreach by establishing partnerships with retailers in both London and Paris, providing customers with a permanent in-store location to buy Reign products.  A years’ time will mean notable collaborations with other brands and shows at fashion weeks across the UK, EU and US, some of which are already starting to come into fruition.

Thank you very much SWEF and the Gloucestershire Community Foundation. Your support is so appreciated.